Connecticut Doctor Now Uses Implantable Miniature Telescopes to Treat Macular Degeneration

 

 

The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) is a dramatic new low vision rehabilitation option for patients with advanced macular degeneration



Artist's drawing of the Implantable Miniature Telescope
 

 

 

Patient's IMT

  

CentraSight, developed by VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, is training  a Connecticut team of eye care professionals consisting of an ophthalmic surgeon, a low vision optometrist (Dr. Randolph Kinkade), and an occupational therapist.

Telescopes are used effectively to reduce the relative size of a patient’s central blind spot in macular degeneration, the leading cause of permanent vision loss in older Americans.  



Dr. Kinkade has been fitting Spectacle Miniature Telescopes (SMTs) successfully for over 30 years as a way to improve patients' vision.  Advancements in medicine now allow telescopes to be implanted in the eye.

 

 




Dr. Kinkade and patient with an SMT

Bioptic SMT




 

 

The Implanted Eye

The implanted miniature telescope is a wide angle micro-telescope only 4mm in length --- a little longer than an eighth of an inch --- that is surgically positioned behind and through the pupil in one eye replacing a cataract in the eye.

 

This tiny device offers a huge benefit because it magnifies the central vision 2.2 or 3 times the normal size depending on the model used.  The enlarged, improved visual images focus on healthy areas of the central retina instead of just the damaged areas of the macula, improving the ability to see detail. This helps reduce the blind spot relative to the magnified image and allows the patient to see images clearer that would have been unrecognizable or difficult to see otherwise.

The telescope is truly a prosthetic device because it helps replace some of the precision eyesight that has been lost.  The IMT becomes part of the eye and is the closest we have to making a  bionic eye.  Patients can scan and track the entire field in front of them using natural eye move­ments.

 





The Non-Implanted Eye

The non-implanted eye provides the brain with vital peripheral vision. Peripheral vision is a part of vision that occurs outside the very center of sight and can be considered to be your “wide angle vision” for taking in general surrounding information.  Although peripheral vision is never as clear as central vision, it is necessary for moving about, detecting motion and helping with night vision. 

 

Advanced macular degeneration affects detailed central vision in both eyes.  Peripheral vision is low resolution vision (i.e., it is blurry compared to a normal healthy macula) and is not affected by macular degeneration.  You can't use it to read well, but you can use it to detect objects and movement.  A person uses the eye with the telescope for detailed central vision (such as reading "WALK" signs at a cross walk). The other eye is used for peripheral vision (such as checking to see if cars are coming from the side as you are crossing the street).

 

Pre-Surgery

After a low vision evaluation, Dr. Kinkade determines which eye the telescope will be implanted in and the power of the telescope needed to accomplish the rehabilitation goals.

IMT External Telescope Simulator  (ETS)

   

Post-Surgery

After the device is inserted by a specially trained ophthalmic surgeon, Dr. Kinkade prescribes glasses  to maximize eyesight.   Patients may still need to use a magnifier for small print and other visually-guided tasks. 

The rehabilitation process continues with  therapy on how to adapt and  best use the enhanced vision.  Rehabilitation is all about teaching the brain new ways of seeing by using the magnified central vision of one eye and the peripheral vision of the other eye. 

 

Patient with IMT in his right eye

 

      Implantable Miniature Telescopes (IMTs)     

 Spectacle Miniature Telescopes (SMTs)

Telescopes will make macular degeneration patients see better.   How much better?  That depends on the level of vision, what you want to see and do, and your ability to adapt to new ways of seeing.

 

This is a very exciting time for patients that up to now have been told, “Sorry, there is nothing more we can do for you.” Please call Dr. Kinkade's office to see if you, or someone you know is a candidate for the IMT or SMT. 

 

(800) 756-0766
rkinkade@optonline.net
www.LowVisionEyeglasses.com

Cheshire - Danbury - Farmington - Litchfield - Manchester - Norwalk - Waterford